NBA considers representing kidnappers in Edo

The Nigerian Bars Association (NBA) said it is reconsidering its position of not representing kidnappers in court in Edo State.

It said it withdrew services from kidnappers and armed robbers in the state due to kidnapping of lawyers.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Bénin branch of the National Industrial Court, Chairman, NBA Edo Branch, Barr. Collins Benson Ogiegbaen, said many lawyers have been kidnapped and killed

According to him: “We are grateful to the governor of Edo State for the Benin Industrial Court. We have seen lawyers in Edo and Delta States go through hallowing experiences going through Benin -Akure Road.

“Some lawyers had been killed, others kidnapped and we decided to suspend representing kidnappers in the state but now we are reconsidering our position.”

President of NICN, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said the establishment and commissioning of the Industrial Court in Edo State would promote industrial harmony in the state as well as provide succour for lawyers who used to travel to Akure to attend to cases from Edo State.

Adejumo said, “The facility is great and the building is good. This is the product of cooperation and I thank the governor for this,” he said.

Governor Godwin Obaseki said it was the first in the series where his administration would be handing over properties to the Judiciary.

He stated that his administration has already provided an accommodation for Hon. Justice Adeola Adewemimo, who will be the first resident Judge of the National Industrial Court in Benin City.

He said: “We are investing in our Judiciary as we have started the first in the series of accommodation for Judges in the state and we will not discriminate as we will ensure a comfortable accommodation for them. Our plan next year is to develop an estate for Judges in the GRA area of Edo State.

“This is just a temporary Court as the Court will be relocated to a permanent site within the next three years. We have secured the property and we have actually completed a design for the permanent structure.

“As a government, we want to ensure we have the full complement of the Judiciary in the state and we are doing everything to provide what is required to make the Judiciary function effectively and efficiently in Edo State.

“We are going to be emphasising and strengthening our Magistracy, investing in our High Court and are pleased that we have successfully been able to attract the Industrial Court to Edo State as we work to relocate the Court of Appeal to a more auspicious premises and hope if possible to have a Supreme Court in Edo State.”